Breeders Award Program Rules
Purpose:
The Breeders Award Program is set up to encourage the proliferation of cichlids, catfish, and plecos. It is intended to encourage excellent breeding stock and to make a wide variety of cichlids, catfish, and plecos more readily available to the general membership.
Criteria:
In order to qualify for the benefits of the Breeders Award Program, the following criteria have been established:
1. The fry being turned in must be at least 1 inch in length or must be at least 60 days old from the free swimming stage. The Breeders Award Chairman reserves the right to refuse any fish deemed undersized.
2. If the point value of the fish is 5, 10 or 15, at least 6 fry are required. If the point value of the fish is 20 or 25, at least 3 fry are required. In lieu of turning in fry for 15, 20 and 25 point fish the breeder can submit a written report of the spawning for publication in the society newsletter. This report should contain everything relevant to the spawning and rearing of the fish.
3. No hybrids will be accepted into the program. If a hybrid is discovered at a later date, the points originally awarded will be deducted.
4. The fish must be in good condition. The Breeders Award Program Chairman reserves the right to reject any fish with deformities
5. You must be a member in good standing (all dues must be current) in order to receive points for a spawn.
6. Points will be awarded only once per species. Color morphs are the exception to the rule. Points will be awarded for each color morph, again with credit only once for each color.
7. Fry should be bagged in clear, watertight fish bags. The bags should contain the scientific name, common name, breeders name, and number of fry in the bag. A bag number (for auction purposes) will be assigned by the Breeders Award Chairman.
8. All fish turned in to the Breeders Award Program must be turned in at a Michigan Cichlid Association monthly social meeting. Once turned in, the fish become property of the Michigan Cichlid Association.
9. All fish turned in to the Breeders Award Program will be auctioned off at the social meetings. If fish are sold for $6 or more than $1 will go to the club and the remainder will go to the breeder. All sales $5 and under will go directly to the breeder.
Point Values:
Once the above criteria are met:
1. The breeder will be awarded points as per the set point schedule.
2. Point schedules are assigned vales of the following: A) 5 points and 10 points – easy to spawn, beginner fish. B) 15 points – a little more challenge due to aggression, size, diet or water quality. However, they will spawn willingly if conditions are met. C) 20 points – more demanding. Require specific maintenance conditions in regards to water parameters, aggression control, and/or diet. These fish are typically “rare/uncommon”. Much less frequently spawned than the above. Truly accomplishments to be proud of. D) 25 points – the unattainables. The “never been spawned in captivity” fishes, or rarely. Very sensitive to water conditions and quality. Specialized diets. The “I tried everything in the book and gave up” fishes. Lots of TLC and patience.
3. Any fish turned in that is not included in the point schedules for some reason, will be accepted and the point value will be determined at the next board meeting. Once a point value is determined, that will become the official value from that point on.
4. Any fish turned in that is recognized as a first U.S. spawn (by F.A.A.S.) will be awarded the normal point value and a bonus of 25 points.
5. Points are not transferable from membership to membership or from club to club.
Awards will be distributed as follows:
1. Each approved spawn will entitle the breeder to a certificate recognizing that successful spawning.
2. Plaques will be awarded to the breeder for attaining the following point levels of 100 and then a plate to add to that plaque for every 100 points after that. Once the first plaque is filled as 1000 points, the breeder will receive an additional plaque recognizing the 1000 point level and a new plaque issued for additional plates.
3. Specialty Awards:
- Breeder of the Year – An award will be given to the participant who has the highest BAP point total through November . The award will be given in December. In case of a tie, both participants will be rewarded. A person may win both Rookie and Breeder of the Year awards in the same year.
- Second place for breeder of the year will receive a certificate acknowledging second place with most BAP spawns for that given year and also awarded a $15 gift card or cash
- Third place for breeder of the year will receive a certificate acknowledging third place with most BAP spawns for that given year and also awarded a $10 gift card or cash
- Rookie of the Year – An award will be given to the new BAP participant who successfully spawns and BAPs the most fish through November. The award will be given in December and will include only those participants whose eligibility ends at the end of the previous year. In case of a tie, those tied will each receive an award.
- C.A.R.E.S. Breeder of the Year – An award will be given to the participant who successfully spawns the most C.A.R.E.S. Cichlidae fish and catfish in the calendar year. The award will be given in December. In case of a tie, those tied will each receive an award.
- A lifetime membership can be attained by meeting the following criteria: 500 points, 5 articles published in the bulletin/newsletter, and a program delivered to the membership at a social meeting.
Other Notes:
Synodontis petricola and lucipinnis can only be turned in a total of one time. They are identical and experts cannot differentiate between the species and the both could be the same.
Also, Aspidoras cf. albater, sp. BlackFin, and CW 35 are the same species from the same import source. These also can only be turned in a total of one time.
Click here for BAP Points List